MRI scans of teenagers are now helping researchers gauge the likelihood of future mental health problems, and a panel in Petrie led by ABC broadcaster Dr. Norman Swan will explain what that could mean for local families.
What’s on the Night
The event is called Changing Minds: Tweens, Teens and Screens, and it forms part of the Building Better series that Swan hosts for the University of the Sunshine Coast. According to the university, it’s the first time the series has been staged at its Petrie campus. Swan, a health commentator as well as a broadcaster, will guide a discussion on how social media and screen time shape the behaviour, experiences and wellbeing of young people.
The Science Behind the Advice
Professor Dan Hermens brings the research side. His work uses MRI scans to follow how the brains of 12 to 17-year-olds develop, and the findings are helping to predict the likelihood of mental distress later on. They also shed light on what sits behind anxiety and how cyberbullying affects young people.
Psychologist Rachael Sharman keeps things closer to home. She will cover how too much screen time can affect a child’s social and emotional growth, then pass on advice for setting limits and building healthier digital habits. She has also co-written a book on the subject with UniSC colleague Michael Nagel.
Beyond the Worry
Screens aren’t the villain in every story. Digital content producer Spencer Abbott will make the case for what’s good about social media, such as creativity and staying connected, before moving on to the rougher edges. Those include pressure from peers online and sleep that gets disrupted.
Kerri Abbott rounds out the panel. A nutritionist and a mother of five, she will offer a parent’s view of raising children in a world that’s always switched on.
Who It’s For
Parents and carers of primary and high school students are the main audience. Teachers and others who support young people’s wellbeing may find it useful too. Wondering where to draw the line at home? The session promises ideas on setting screen boundaries, understanding online pressures and encouraging positive habits in the household.
Event Details
The panel runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the UniSC Auditorium at UniSC Moreton Bay, 1 Moreton Parade, Petrie, next to the Petrie train station. Light refreshments will be served from 5 p.m. Registration is open through the UniSC website.
Published Date 13-October-2026
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